SIR ALEX FERGUSON faces another dilemma over who should be the Manchester United No1 goalkeeper as he hinted that the accident-prone David de Gea could now be recalled.

United manager Ferguson dropped De Gea, 21, for United’s comeback victory over Southampton on Sunday, citing the fact that the goalkeeper made a howler in their previous game at home against Fulham.

De Gea and captain Nemanja Vidic got in each other’s way in that game – which United won 3-2 – and it led to an own-goal from the defender.

So Anders Lindegaard, 28, was brought in at St Mary’s, but the Dane also conceded two goals, leaving United to twice fight back from behind. He also failed to command his area and Ferguson claimed that he looked nervous.

Ferguson said: “It was a big decision, but I thought David de Gea lost a bad goal last week. He has to learn quickly. He’ll be back after the international break.

“Anders had his first game [of the season against Southampton] and I thought he was a bit nervous at points. But he’s a very good keeper also. It’s something you have to deal with.”

It was a big decision, but I thought David de Gea lost a bad goal last week. He has to learn quickly. He’ll be back after the international break

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson

That has led to Ferguson into another rethink ahead of United’s next game, at home to Wigan after the international break on September 15, as he mulls over who really is the best replacement for his ever-reliable Dutch international Edwin van der Sar.

It is a situation reminiscent of how he struggled to fill the void left by Peter Schmeichel in 1999.

Now it seems that Van der Sar’s achievements are still a burden to United’s current keepers.

Last summer De Gea signed from Atletico Madrid for a hefty £18million and struggled in his first few games, with mistakes aplenty.

Ferguson had seemingly lost faith in De Gea after a blunder helped Blackburn to three points on New Year’s Eve and Lindegaard took over in January. But De Gea saw out the season as No1 after Lindegaard suffered an untimely ankle injury and the Spaniard started this campaign as Ferguson’s preferred choice.

However, his mistake against Fulham has now cast more doubt over his ability and Ferguson will have to be convinced again should he be given the nod against Wigan.

Meanwhile, Vidic has paid tribute to the hunger that still burns within Ferguson after an incredible 1,000 league games in charge of the club – and suggested that perhaps at last the famous “hairdryer” has been packed away. Vidic said: “He is an inspiration for us. Every year he has that desire, that hunger to win games. That positive energy he has, he has sent to us in the dressing room.

“If you look over the years, United have won so many games in the last minute. That’s not coincidence. This is what the manager is asking for: to always go for the win. You are never happy with the draw.

“He is a person who knows how to deal with people and knows the way to get the best out of players. This is the best part of him.”